Robert has had his 2nd chemo treatment of his 2nd round of chemo and is doing good. This time around seems to be a little harder on him but he is still doing great! Ryan & Renissa's families are coming home for Easter so that will be fun for everyone. It will be great to be with Camrea to celebrate her being an offical family member! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers! Happy Easter to each and every one of you. Love The Berning's

Papa & Nana finally made it back home! Horray! Rowdy was glad to see Papa! Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers!

WE ARE AT HOME!!!! Need I say more? There is no place like home sweet home.Rob and Brecken were here to help us unload and Jill and Shae had put the furniture back in the living room after Jason cleaned the carpets and Carl painted so part of the house is fresh and clean..... Was so good to step inside and see that all of that was done. THANKS TO EVERYONE! We love you and it is so nice to have love and support at a time like this.Robert went to pick up Rowdy. He was really missing him. I'm sure he will be excited to see Robert also.Our bed will feel nice tonight and with a couple of days at home I should have everything unpacked and maybe back to part way normal if there is such a thing as normal?What a journey we have had!I will go back to work Tues or Wed.I'll see how I feel.Thanks again to everyone who took the journey with us through prayer, spirit, phone calls, email, gifts, and food. We appreciate it all and words can never express our gratitude. We love you all!!!!!!!!Love and prayers, Robert & Roxie
March 14, 2009 6:28 PM

We are in KANSAS!!!! YEA! Made it to Kansas City last night about 8:30 p.m. Didn't get out of Rochester until 2:00 p.m. As we were coming out of Gonda building elevator, the piano player was playing "Somewhere over the Rainbow" and I thought what a great song to end our Mayo journey on. It gave me goose bumps and I thought it was a great send off....We clicked our ruby red slippers and followed the Yellow Brick road and it brought us to Kansas. We slept in a king size pillow top bed and slept like babies last night and then got to Augusta, Ks about noon today. Will spend the night at Ryan and Melissa's home and then on to Home Sweet Home!Renissa took the afternoon off so we could spend some time with them as they have baseball tourney in Oklahoma over the weekend and will be leaving in the morning. The grandkids were glad to see us and we got lots of hugs and kisses which we needed. After Papa gets up from his nap Nolan wants to take him bowling.It's great being here but we miss our wonderful friends from Hope Lodge. They have called to check on us several times. We were like one big family. Great friendships were formed. Seems strange not to have clinic appt schedules to keep. After six weeks of doing that it becomes routine.Anxious to see everyone when we get home. Hopefully we will be home Saturday sometime.Love and prayers, Robert and Roxie
March 13, 2009 3:12 PM

He rang the bell,He did it well,It will be a good day,When we finally get on our way!!!What an accomplishment! Mike, Melody, Kathy, her Dad and Judy were all there to see him celebrate 28 treatments over...We love you all for ringing the bells along with him.A few more appointments and we will be on the road to Kansas!!!Love,Robert and RoxieThanks for all your prayers!!!They really are being heard!

Robert will be ringing the bell tomorrow at approx 9:30.Ring this bellThree times wellThe toll to clearly sayMy treatments are doneIt's course has runAnd I am on my way!Please join with us by ringing bells at home three times to help us celebrate another part of our journey. What a journey!!!!!We will try and get to Kansas City tomorrow night and then on to Augusta on Friday and home Saturday! We'll follow the yellow brick road! I have my ruby red slippers ready to click and Dorothy and Toto will lead us home to Kansas! YEA!!!!See ya all soon!Love to all, Robert and Roxie

Can anyone hear me screaming?????Our last appt on Thursday is at 12:15 p.m. so we won't be getting out of town early like I thought.They still think he needs meds in his port for two more days and they messed up on todays schedule so that prolongs the stay. I guess better safe than sorry!Pot luck is tonight and it will be Bitter Sweet! We have made many wonderful lifetime friends and I'm sure some tears will be shed saying goodby. Goodby's have never been my best thing to do. I always like to say "SEE YA!"Sounds like the Spring like weather in Kansas has come to an end. Talked to Rod and he said it had turned cold. We'll feel like we are still in Minnesota.......Tomorrow night we will go out to supper with the two couples that make us laugh so will be fun to laugh again before we leave.Met a nice Mennonite fellow that voulenteers at the radiation department that has two sisters that live in Pence. He called and wanted to take us out to supper but our schedules won't work. It was very nice of him. His name was Leslie Amoth and his sisters are Mrs David Dirks and Mrs Robert Koehn from Pence. Fern and Frances. I'll have to tell our Mennonite friends at home about him when we get there. I'm sure he will look us up if he ever gets to Kansas.Hope to see you all SOON!Two more nights at the Lodge!Love, Roxie
March 10, 2009 2:03 PM

Didn't get to church yesterday so went this morning after Robert got his meds. Had breakfast and then he went upstairs for a nap and I went to Walmart and Kohls and a few other places. Haven't had any time to shop so just wanted to look. Really wasn't in the mood to buy much so mainly looked.It snowed about 4 or 5 inches this morning but has stopped. Boy, wouldn't we love that moisture at home!I have cheesy potatoes in for supper, will also do smoked sausage.4 more nights to stay here and then back to Kansas. Robert hasn't been feeling really well over the weekend so we have just took it easy and he has rested. He will be glad to get the chemo pump off.Pray for good weather and safe travel. See ya soon!Love, Roxie
March 8, 2009 4:29 PM

Most of the people from the Lodge went home for the weekend so it is quiet here. I made two pumpkin rolls and taco soup. Trying to use up all the food before we leave.Robert got his med's in his port this morning and then went back to bed for a nap. He is just so tired. I think the chemo is really starting to take it's toll on him.We might go to church over at St. Mary's @ 4:00 today as the time changes tonight and he has to be back over at the clinic tomorrow for more meds in his port.I'm trying to organize things so I can start packing the car on Wednesday while he is at his meeting.It's been nice to just have a day to rest and relax. Yesterday afternoon we drove around Rochester for awhile.Hope to see you all soon.Love, Robert and Roxie
March 7, 2009 2:24 PM

We are done at the clinic for today so Robert is up taking a nap and then wants to go do something.Not sure what???When we got back to the Lodge, I had good news. I had won the weekly quilt. It is a fleece tied blanket with dogs on it and blue.It will be nice to snuggle up with.Have a good weekend. Thursday we will head that way if the weather cooperates. See ya in Kansas!!!!Love, Roxie
March 6, 2009 11:34 AM

Today was busy but tomorrow we should be done by noon.We went out to supper with two other couples tonight. One brain cancer, Robert pancreatic cancer and the other Bob rectal cancer.We laughed so hard we almost fell off of our chairs. Bob was telling his Doctor stories. You can just imagine!!!! Laughter is the best medicine. The people at the Fisherman's Inn never would have guessed we were all from the Hope Lodge. The manager came out and said the laughter was contagious.Today Talen Shay turned one. Can't believe I was there last year at this time to spend a week and bond with him. Hope to see them next Friday.Diana Long sent us the Leoti Standard to read online so it's nice to keep up with the local news. We really enjoy that!Hope to have a laid back weekend.Most of the people from the Lodge go home for the weekends so sometimes it is quiet around here.Love, Roxie

Today has been a better day and I hope tomorrow is more laid back.7 days to go and we will head home if the weather allows us.We had going away supper for our dear friends Todd and Deb Biel tonight along with some tears. What a blessing it has been to know them. We will miss them but hope to see them sometime whenever either of us has a chance to travel.Old friends leave and new friends move in at the Lodge. I heard the waiting list is up to two weeks now. So glad we only had to wait a week.God is Good and he will be with us on this journey called CANCER.Robert is still real tired but hopefully after all of the chemo and radiation is done he will start to get his strength back.I took a nap from 10:30 this morn until noon. The early mornings are getting to me. Tomorrow we don't have to be at the clinic until after 9:00 so that will help.Hope to see all of you soon.Love, Roxie
March 4, 2009 8:59 PM

It's been a long morning. They tried to put the pick line in and after 1 1/2 hrs came out and told me they couldn't get it in so we are now in a different department with more technology to try and get it in. He has been in there for 45 min already so hopefully I will hear something soon. Then we have to go to get his chemo pump refilled and on, so he will be shot for the rest of the day. I canceled the meetings we had this afternoon as I knew he wouldn't be up to it. This has been another stressful week. Will update later when I know more. Keep the prayers coming. We just want to come home................Roxie

We are finally back at the Lodge.After 3 hours of trying to get the pick line in they finally got it in. Thank the good Lord. He is up in the room sleeping. I will let him sleep and then get him up for Pot Luck and the Mennonite singers that he wants to hear.Love to all, Roxie

It's been a long morning. They tried to put the pick line in and after 1 1/2 hrs came out and told me they couldn't get it in so we are now in a different department with more technology to try and get it in. He has been in there for 45 min already so hopefully I will hear something soon. Then we have to go to get his chemo pump refilled and on, so he will be shot for the rest of the day. I canceled the meetings we had this afternoon as I knew he wouldn't be up to it. This has been another stressful week. Will update later when I know more. Keep the prayers coming. We just want to come home................Roxie

Good news Friday, Bad news Monday!Had Dr appt with oncologist and was ready to go back on chemo and they decided they couldn't put it in the port because of the antibiotic lock so will have to go over in the morning @ 7:30 a.m. to have a pick line put in and then back up to have the chemo pump put back on. He is not a Happy Camper and neither am I. This journey called CANCER is not FUN and we are ready for the roller coaster ride to slow down for awhile and let us coast...... They took blood three more times today and he had radiation so he is wiped out. He is up in the room sleeping.I made White Chili and have poppy seed bread in the oven. The people up in this area have never heard of poppy seed bread or our famous Chocolate Dream Dessert. I'm introducing them to a lot of new foods. Brought a few of our family cookbooks and have given some special people them. I want to leave one here in our kitchen when we leave.Tomorrow night is Pot luck supper so hope we get to go. We had to miss last week because of his infection. The Mennonite singers are going to be here again so I want Robert to hear them. He missed them the last time because he was too tired.Had a good weekend. Went to Red Wing, Mn yesterday afternoon. Todd and Deb Biel took us. That is where they make the Red Wing boots and also pottery. I didn't know they did the pottery but I had to buy me a crock. It is gray-blue with wheat on it. It is pretty and I wanted an heirloom. It will look nice upon my kitchen shelf will wheat in it.Had supper with Todd, Deb and two Amish couples. Todd's MA sent some german dish called NEFLA. It was good. I had never had anything like it. It is dough balls with meat and saurkraut. The Amish couples are so funny and we enjoyed visiting with them.Will update tomorrow.Love, Roxie
March 2, 2009 5:21 PM

Good news Friday! Renissa called with good news, Ryan called and all his tests went well and the Doctor put Robert on oral meds so we don't have to get up early every morning and go back every night to have IV's! Yeah!!!!I will sleep in tomorrow, it is Saturday!!!Robert still has infection and will be on meds for 10 days. They think it is in the port line. The CT scan came back fine, so no abcess like they thought would have to be drained. We were so thankful for that. They are doing an antibiotic lock on his port to help the infection so we do have to go over once a day to have that put in but that doesn't take long. The other was a 3 hour ordeal twice a day. Exhausting!It's always good to end the week with GOOD NEWS! Hope it continues and we get to head home March 12th. Robert is missing Rowdy and wants to go home. He is tired of them poking around on him. He's not sure he has any blood left as much as they are taking all the time! Just glad the infection was caught early. We have a Dr appt on Monday to see if they start his chemo again. Have a good weekend. Love, Roxie and Robert
February 27, 2009 9:02 PM

NEWS FLASH! It's official!!!Miss Camrea Jean is now Miss Camrea Jean Riley!!!!!Congratulations to Darren, Renissa and Nolan. We are so happy and excited for them.Nolan even had to get upon the stand. The Judge's name was Judge Heart and it sounds like he had a BIG heart. He let Renissa go to the car and get her camera and they said he was so nice he even took a picture of all of them together as a family!!! What a blessing for everyone!I did get 1 1/2 nap. Was sleeping dreaming of them when the phone rang. Best phone call and good news I've had in a long time.Anxious to hear now from Ryan.We go to the Dr at 4:00 so hope today is GOOD NEWS day!Love, Roxie

It has been a long week. Robert has IV meds twice a day. 7:30 a.m and 7:30 p.m. Vancomyecin and another I think called empancin??The Vanco is heavy duty so hope the do the job. We have a Dr appt @ 4 this afternoon so hope to find out some results. We also have radiation everyday and three days a week we have a survey meeting for 1 1/2 hours. I need a nap and hope to get one this afternoon. We didn't get back to the Lodge last night until 11:30. The IV drip takes about 3 hours. Want to do it slow after the reaction on Monday. Todd Biel has been helping me push Robert over in the wheelchair. Sometimes the tunnels are long pushing uphill. He is a blessing. I made supper for 5 others in our kitchen last night. We had chicken and rice, green beans and tossed salad. Todd furnished the ice cream with all the toppings.They call me the "Betty Crocker" of the kitchen but Louise says that isn't true. She calles me Julia Childs... I don't compare to either but I guess some people don't cook.Darren & Renissa are going to court today to see if Miss Camrea will become Camrea Riley. Please keep them all in your prayers. Camrea deserves a loving family.Ryan is having some tests done in Wichita today. Some kind of kidney problems???? I'm anxious to hear from both of them. Always somthing to worry about.It snowed here last night, about 5 inches. Robert would love to have the moisture at home for the wheat.Better get back to his room, he was sleeping when I left but will be looking for me. I'll try and update this evening after we hopefull find out what is causing the infection.Love, Roxie
February 27, 2009 9:29 AM

Today has been a long day at the hospital. We started at 7 this morn and didn't get back to the Lodge until about 5.We did CT scan, Radiation, Radiation Dr appt and then infusion of meds for the infection.I did take a quick hour nap while he was taking his meds and when I went back, he was itching and bright red. I called the nurse in and he was alergic to Vanco. They called it the Red Syndrom. They gave him benedryl and kept him for another hour to make sure he was OK before turning us loose. They had him on two diffferent kinds of antibiotics. We were suppose to go back tonight at 9:00 p.m. for another round but after the reaction, they canceled it. Thank Goodness! He is worn out and up in the room sleeping. I took supper up to the room even though that is discouraged.We start back at it again in the morn with infusion @ 7:30. They said to plan on 3 hours to have it drip in. Long day again. Not sure where or what the infection is yet but they want to get a good start on it. Hopefully tomorrow we can talk to some Dr to find out results of the CT scan.Didn't make it to Ash Wednesday today, I guess the Good Lord knew we did our duty at the hospital.We did obey though and fast and eat salmon patties.Our friend Kathy went home today and we all had to cry. She was such a great friend. She left us some neat books to read. Wishing her the best on her breast cancer journey! She is so young and full of energy! She has a lot to live for and lots to do yet. She is a great touring partner. We have great memories of all that we did while she was here.Will keep you posted. Love, Roxie
February 25, 2009 7:14 PM

The chemo Dr just called and canceled Robert's radiation treatment because he has infection of some kind. We have an appt at 1:30 to see if they will admit him into the hospital or just do IV's as out patience. Keep us in your prayers. I'll update this as soon as I know something.Roxie
February 24, 2009 12:32 PM

No chemo or radiation until they find the reason for the infection.We will do blood work and IV antibiotic today and CT scan tomorrow morning to see if they can find out what is going on.Will update it tomorrow after we know more. Love, Roxie

Robert's fever broke during the night and he ate a good breakfast but is up in the room resting as we have appts @ 12:00, 1:00, 3:00 and then 4:00 if they put the chemo pump back on him. We will know the results of his blood work when we meet with the Doc.They have a Big Bell in the radiation department that people get to ring three times when it is their last treatment. It says:Ring OutRing this bellThree times well The toll to clearly sayMy treatments are doneIt's course has runAnd I'm on my way!Robert's last treament is suppose to be March 11th so I ask everyone to have their bells ready and please ring them 3 times to help us celebrate that this phase is over! I'll try and remind everyone on March 10th.Today is laundry day, we even have to do that chore up here. The machines are in the basement so I get plenty of walking in between that and the tunnels.........Love to everyone! Roxie
February 24, 2009 9:49 AM